Macron urges Europe to restore direct communication channel with Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron said at the Munich Security Conference that Europe must take part in negotiations with Russia regarding the war in Ukraine in order to be “part of the solution to this problem.”

According to French media, the French leader stressed that if a peace agreement is reached, European countries will have to “define the rules of coexistence” with Russia. At the same time, the publication noted that in his optimistic speech, he advocated for a “strong” Europe that should reduce its dependence while continuing to maintain pressure on Russia.

Macron said that Europeans today largely rely on themselves. “We are financing (Ukraine) ourselves; we no longer have those partners,” he stated, praising the role of the “coalition of the willing.”

He also called for continued efforts to build a fully developed European defence framework, emphasising that Europe must become a “geopolitical power.”

Earlier, the French president said in interviews with several major European publications that Europeans should conduct an independent dialogue with Russia so as not to depend exclusively on the United States.

By Tamilla Hasanova